Rockaway Beach got a heavy and colorful taste of 2016's first blizzard. After a night of closed roads, howling wind, and incessant snow, on Sunday morning the peninsula woke up to blue and white mountains. The ocean turned into a beautiful beast. The beach looked like a moonscape. By sunset it was a salty disco show with orange, pink and purple horizon.
Surfers didn't brave the elements until late morning. The peaks were fierce, the sets were massive attacks. Watching from the shore, you felt your brain freeze just looking at the water. Surfers came and went—it wasn't your usual overcrowded New York surf break. The ocean and winds were fickle, the traffic a mess, and parking was impossible. All of these variables had to align for the magic to happen and reveal the beauty in the madness of winter surfing.
These photos and words are from Andreea Waters, a NY-based photographer and writer. Follow her on Instagram at @AndreeaWaters
